Thermal container structure

ABSTRACT

A thermal container structure includes an upper cover and a container main body. The upper cover and the container main body have corresponding metallic sealing surfaces and threads, respectively. At least the bottom of the upper cover or the whole upper cover is made of a metallic material. All the inside of the container main body is made of a metallic material. When the upper cover is screwed to the container main body, the metallic sealing surfaces contact with each other and are tightened by the screwed force from the upper cover and the container main body, so that the interior space of the thermal container is an all-metal containing space so as to avoid the plastic material from releasing harmful substances and to prevent an accumulation of dirt, residual odors, the growth of bacteria, and so on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a thermal container structure, and more particularly to a thermal container structure which won't release harmful substances at high temperature and can prevent an accumulation of dirt, residual odors, the growth of bacteria, and so on.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The container main body of a conventional thermal container on the market is made of a stainless steel material, and its upper cover is made of a plastic material. A silicone sealing ring is used to seal the mouth of the container. However, when the thermal container is used to contain hot drinks, the upper cover may release harmful substance, such as plasticizer, because of high temperature. The sealing ring may have the problems of an accumulation of dirt, residual odors, and the growth of bacteria to influence human health. Therefore, an improved thermal cover is developed as disclosed in TW Patent No. M417340. The thermal cover comprises a main body, a core post, and a stainless steel protection layer. The main body has an accommodation space with an opening facing downward. The core post extends downward from the inner top of the main body. A gap is formed between the side of the core post and the inner side of the main body. The lower end of the core post is wrapped with the stainless steel protection layer. The stainless steel protection layer is disposed at the outmost side, which won't release harmful substances when it gets contact with high-temperature liquid or steam. However, the aforesaid cover is also provided with a sealing ring. Because of using the sealing ring, the thermal container still has the problems, such as releasing harmful substances, accumulating dirt, residual odors, the growth of bacteria, and so on.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a thermal container structure to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. The thermal container structure comprises an upper cover and a container main body. The upper cover has a first metallic sealing surface. The container main body has a second metallic sealing surface. When the upper cover is coupled to the container main body, the first metallic sealing surface is pressed against the second metallic sealing surface to seal the container main body.

Preferably, the thermal container structure is a thermos flask or a thermos cup. The upper cover is adapted to be screwed to the container main body.

Preferably, the container main body has a hollow thermal insulation layer.

Preferably, the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body. The core body has the first metallic sealing surface. The first metallic sealing surface of the core body is accommodated inside the upper cover main body and corresponds to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.

Preferably, the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body. The core body has the first metallic sealing surface. The first metallic sealing surface of the core body is located out of the upper cover main body and corresponds to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are one of inclined surfaces, curved surfaces and flat surfaces, or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are the inclined surfaces having the same angle of inclination.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are the curved surfaces having the same curvature.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have the same area.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have different areas.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have a contact area therebetween equal to the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface.

Preferably, the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have a contact area therebetween less than the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface.

The present invention has the following effects.

1. The containing space surrounded by metallic materials can solve the problem that the existing thermal container will release harmful substances.

2. The present invention uses the metallic sealing surfaces instead of the traditional sealing ring to provide a leakage-proof function. This can solve these problems, such as an accumulation of dirt, residual odors, the growth of bacteria, and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body before assembled according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body after assembled according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body before assembled according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body after assembled according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body before assembled according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the upper cover and the container main body after assembled according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the metallic sealing surfaces of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a thermal container structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the thermal container structure is a thermos flask or a thermos cup. The thermal container structure comprises an upper cover 1 and a container main body 20.

The upper cover 1 comprises an upper cover main body 10 and a core body 11. The core body 11 has a first metallic sealing surface 111. At least the bottom of the core body 11 is made of a metallic material, or the whole core body 11 is made of a metallic material. The core body 11 is disposed inside the upper cover main body 10, so that the first metallic sealing surfing 111 of the core body 11 is also accommodated inside the upper cover main body 10. The bottom of the core body 11 has a recess 112. In general, water or steam will be attached to the bottom of the core body 11 due to the surface tension of water, and the water or steam will flow out when the upper cover 1 is opened. However, the recess 112 of the core body 11 of the present invention can keep the water from flowing out of the bottom of the core body 11. The inner wall of the upper cover main body 10 has external threads 102. The core body 11 may be integrally formed with the upper cover main body 10, or the core body 11 and the upper cover main body 10 may be two individual parts which are connected to each other.

The container main body 20 has a hollow thermal insulation layer. The container main body 20 has a second metallic sealing surface 201 and internal threads 202. The second metallic sealing surface 201 corresponds to the first metallic sealing surface 111, and the internal threads 202 are adapted to mate with the external threads 102 of the upper cover main body 10.

FIG. 2 shows that the upper cover 1 is assembled to the container main body 20. When the upper cover 1 is twisted on, the first metallic sealing surface 111 of the core body 11 and the second metallic sealing surface 201 of the container main body 20 will be pressed against each other to seal the container main body 20 so as to provide a leakage-proof function; likewise, the bottom of the core body 11, the first metallic sealing surface 111, the container main body 20, and the second metallic sealing surface 201 are all made of metallic materials, so that a containing space 30 bounded thereby is completely surrounded by metallic materials.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a thermal container structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the thermal container structure comprises an upper cover 1 a and a container main body 20 a.

The upper cover 1 a comprises an upper cover main body 10 a and a core body 11 a. The core body 11 a has a first metallic sealing surface 111 a. At least the bottom of the core body 11 a is made of a metallic material, or the whole core body 11 a is made of a metallic material. The core body 11 a protrudes out of the upper cover main body 10 a, and the first metallic sealing surfing 111 a of the core body 11 a is located out of the upper cover main body 10 a. The bottom of the core body 11 a has a recess 112 a. The outer wall of the core body 11 a has external threads 113 a. The core body 11 a may be integrally formed with the upper cover main body 10 a, or the core body 11 a and the upper cover main body 10 a may be two individual parts which are connected to each other.

The container main body 20 a has a second metallic sealing surface 201 a and internal threads 202 a. The second metallic sealing surface 201 a corresponds to the first metallic sealing surface 111 a, and the internal threads 202 a are adapted to mate with the external threads 113 a of the core body 11 a.

FIG. 4 shows that the upper cover 1 a is assembled to the container main body 20 a. The bottom of the core body 11 a, the first metallic sealing surface 111 a, the container main body 20 a, and the second metallic sealing surface 201 a are all made of metallic materials, so that a containing space 30 a bounded thereby is completely surrounded by metallic materials.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a thermal container structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the thermal container structure comprises an upper cover 1 b and a container main body 20 b.

The upper cover 1 b comprises an upper cover main body 10 b and a core body 11 b. The core body 11 b has a first metallic sealing surface 111 b, and the whole core body 11 b is made of a metallic material. The core body 11 b protrudes out of the upper cover main body 10 b, and the first metallic sealing surfing 111 b of the core body 11 b is accommodated inside the upper cover main body 10 b. The bottom of the core body 11 b has a recess 112 b. The outer wall of the core body 11 b has external threads 113 b. The core body 11 b may be integrally formed with the upper cover main body 10 b, or the core body 11 b and the upper cover main body 10 b may be two individual parts which are connected to each other.

The container main body 20 b has a second metallic sealing surface 201 b and internal threads 202 b. The second metallic sealing surface 201 b corresponds to the first metallic sealing surface 111 b, and the internal threads 202 b are adapted to mate with the external threads 113 b of the core body 11 b.

FIG. 6 shows that the upper cover 1 b is assembled to the container main body 20 b. The bottom of the core body 11 b, the first metallic sealing surface 111 b, the container main body 20 b, and the second metallic sealing surface 201 b are all made of metallic materials, so that a containing space 30 b bounded thereby is completely surrounded by metallic materials.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first and second metallic sealing surfaces of the present invention are one of inclined surfaces 7 a, curved surfaces 7 b and flat surfaces 7 c, or a combination thereof for the first and second metallic sealing surfaces to provide a leakage-proof function. For example, the first and second metallic sealing surfaces can be the inclined surfaces 7 a having the same angle of inclination; the first and second metallic sealing surfaces can be the curved surfaces 7 b having the same curvature; the first and second metallic sealing surfaces may have the same area; the first and second metallic sealing surfaces may have different areas; the first metallic sealing surface may contact with the second metallic sealing surface with a contact area equal to the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface; or the first metallic sealing surface may contact with the second metallic sealing surface with a contact area less than the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface.

The thermal container structure of the present invention can solve the problems of the conventional thermal container, such as releasing harmful substances, accumulating dirt result from using the sealing ring, residual odors, the growth of bacteria, and so on. In addition, the aforesaid embodiments are only to explain several embodiments of the metallic sealing surfaces, not to limit the position of the metallic sealing surface.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermal container structure, comprising an upper cover and a container main body, the upper cover having a first metallic sealing surface, the container main body having a second metallic sealing surface, wherein when the upper cover is coupled to the container main body, the first metallic sealing surface is pressed against the second metallic sealing surface to seal the container main body.
 2. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal container structure is one of a thermos flask and a thermos cup, and the upper cover is adapted to be screwed to the container main body.
 3. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container main body has a hollow thermal insulation layer.
 4. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being accommodated inside the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 5. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being accommodated inside the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 6. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being accommodated inside the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 7. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being located out of the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 8. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being located out of the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 9. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper cover comprises an upper cover main body and a core body, the core body having the first metallic sealing surface, the first metallic sealing surface of the core body being located out of the upper cover main body and corresponding to the second metallic sealing surface of the container main body.
 10. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are one of inclined surfaces, curved surfaces and flat surfaces.
 11. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are one of inclined surfaces, curved surfaces and flat surfaces.
 12. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are one of inclined surfaces, curved surfaces and flat surfaces.
 13. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are the inclined surfaces having the same angle of inclination.
 14. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface are the curved surfaces having the same curvature.
 15. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have the same area.
 16. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have different areas.
 17. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have a contact area therebetween equal to the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface.
 18. The thermal container structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface have a contact area therebetween less than the area of each of the first metallic sealing surface and the second metallic sealing surface. 